Boys Golf: Horsfield Fires 65 To Win County

Published: Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at 12:03 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at 12:03 a.m.

DAVENPORT | What is the perfect 16th birthday present for a high school golfer?

Rolling in eight birdies and firing a 7-under-par 65 brought a constant smile to Sam Horsfield's face on Monday.

Horsfield, a sophomore at Ridge Community High School, celebrated his 16th birthday by dominating the Polk County Boys Golf Tournament at Providence Golf Club.

George Jenkins was equally impressive in winning the county team championship for the third straight season.

Horsfield, who came into the event with a county-best nine-hole average of 35, was the only player among the 19 high school teams to break 70.

"I hit my irons pretty good," said Horsfield, who never faced a birdie putt longer than 15 feet and had a couple of tap-in birdies at the finish.

Horsfield birdied his last three holes, and four of his last five, to earn medalist honors by six shots over McKeel Academy eighth-grader Colin Kresl and Lake Gibson sophomore Justin Cranford. Bartow's Andrew Penn carded a 72 to finish fourth.

"This is the best he's shot in a high school match,'' Ridge coach Bob McKnight said of Horsfield.

Steven Hancock, who helped George Jenkins win the team title, played with Horsfield.

"He's always solid, every shot,'' Hancock said. "His mis-hits are just slightly in the rough. He never loses control of the ball.''

Jenkins posted a team score of 307 to win by 14 shots over Lakeland in the large-school division, although small schools Lakeland Christian, McKeel Academy and Frostproof posted lower scores than Lakeland.

Lakeland Christian, led by Trent Harris with a 75, Blake Crosby with a 76 and Garrison Hodge with a 78, won the small-school division by three strokes over McKeel, which was undefeated in team matches at 15-0. Kresl was the only McKeel player who broke 80.

"I was hitting solid drives, solid irons and putting lights out," said Kresl, who made four birdies in his 71.

Cranford almost eagled the par-5 15th hole, clubbing a 3-wood 240 yards to within 5 feet of the pin. He missed the putt and settled for a birdie to shoot 71.

Horsfield, who finished ninth in the state high school tournament last year, returns to Providence to begin the postseason in the Class 2A-District 8 tournament on Monday at 8:30 a.m. The boys played the course from the blue tees at 6,370 yards on Monday.

"I'm playing pretty good. I just want to play my best and don't do anything stupid, golf-wise," he said.

None of the coaches knew if Horsfield's 65 was a tournament record, but Weaver said it probably was.

[ Del Milligan can be reached at del.milligan@theledger.com or at 863-802-7555. ]

<p>DAVENPORT | What is the perfect 16th birthday present for a high school golfer?</p><p>Rolling in eight birdies and firing a 7-under-par 65 brought a constant smile to Sam Horsfield's face on Monday.</p><p>Horsfield, a sophomore at Ridge Community High School, celebrated his 16th birthday by dominating the Polk County Boys Golf Tournament at Providence Golf Club.</p><p>George Jenkins was equally impressive in winning the county team championship for the third straight season.</p><p>Horsfield, who came into the event with a county-best nine-hole average of 35, was the only player among the 19 high school teams to break 70.</p><p>"I hit my irons pretty good," said Horsfield, who never faced a birdie putt longer than 15 feet and had a couple of tap-in birdies at the finish.</p><p>Horsfield birdied his last three holes, and four of his last five, to earn medalist honors by six shots over McKeel Academy eighth-grader Colin Kresl and Lake Gibson sophomore Justin Cranford. Bartow's Andrew Penn carded a 72 to finish fourth.</p><p>"This is the best he's shot in a high school match,'' Ridge coach Bob McKnight said of Horsfield.</p><p>Steven Hancock, who helped George Jenkins win the team title, played with Horsfield.</p><p>"He's always solid, every shot,'' Hancock said. "His mis-hits are just slightly in the rough. He never loses control of the ball.''</p><p>Jenkins posted a team score of 307 to win by 14 shots over Lakeland in the large-school division, although small schools Lakeland Christian, McKeel Academy and Frostproof posted lower scores than Lakeland.</p><p>"It's quite an accomplishment," Jenkins coach Paul Weaver said. "We knew Lake Gibson, McKeel, Lakeland Christian and Lakeland had improved. Nervous is putting it politely."</p><p>Jenkins fielded six golfers, although just the top four count toward the team score. And all six shot in the 70s.</p><p>"We have a lot of depth, and I rotate people in the matches,'' said Weaver, in his sixth season as head coach. "We might not have all our best players in a match."</p><p>Senior Steven Hancock and sophomore T.J. Wright led Jenkins with 75s. Hayden Hill added a 78, while Kyle Jenkins, Devon Hammond and Devon Knight shot 79.</p><p>Lakeland Christian, led by Trent Harris with a 75, Blake Crosby with a 76 and Garrison Hodge with a 78, won the small-school division by three strokes over McKeel, which was undefeated in team matches at 15-0. Kresl was the only McKeel player who broke 80.</p><p>"I was hitting solid drives, solid irons and putting lights out," said Kresl, who made four birdies in his 71.</p><p>Cranford almost eagled the par-5 15th hole, clubbing a 3-wood 240 yards to within 5 feet of the pin. He missed the putt and settled for a birdie to shoot 71.</p><p>Horsfield, who finished ninth in the state high school tournament last year, returns to Providence to begin the postseason in the Class 2A-District 8 tournament on Monday at 8:30 a.m. The boys played the course from the blue tees at 6,370 yards on Monday.</p><p>"I'm playing pretty good. I just want to play my best and don't do anything stupid, golf-wise," he said.</p><p>None of the coaches knew if Horsfield's 65 was a tournament record, but Weaver said it probably was.</p><p> </p><p>[ Del Milligan can be reached at del.milligan@theledger.com or at 863-802-7555. ]</p>